From Service to Support: How One Volunteer’s Lifetime of Leadership Led Him to the Long Island Crisis Center

For many people, retirement marks the end of a career. For Henry, it became the beginning of a new chapter of service.

After more than 30 years in the U.S. Army, including 26 years in the Army Reserve and achieving the rank of Colonel, Henry could have stepped away from public service altogether. Instead, he chose to dedicate his time and experience to helping people through some of the most difficult moments of their lives as a volunteer crisis counselor at the Long Island Crisis Center. His path to crisis counseling may seem unconventional, but for Henry, it feels like a natural continuation of a lifelong commitment to helping others.

A Life Built on Service

Service has been part of Henry's life for as long as he can remember.

"My father and all of my uncles served in the military during World War II," he recalls. "It seemed to me that serving your country in some way was simply what you did."

That belief guided him through decades of military leadership. Alongside his military career, Henry spent more than 40 years in the banking industry, eventually retiring as a Senior Vice President and Senior Counsel for one of the nation's largest banking organizations.

Throughout both careers, leadership remained a constant. Yet after retirement, Henry found himself searching for another meaningful way to give back.

Finding Purpose After Retirement

Henry's introduction to the Long Island Crisis Center came through a volunteer recruitment presentation.

In 2019, he attended an event where the organization spoke about its mission and the need for volunteer crisis counselors. The presentation immediately resonated with him.

"I left knowing I wanted to help," Henry says.

What began as curiosity quickly turned into a commitment. He enrolled in training and discovered that many of the skills he had developed throughout his life could be applied in a completely new way.

Learning the Power of Listening

Coming from backgrounds in military leadership, law, and corporate banking, Henry was accustomed to solving problems, making decisions, and leading teams.

Crisis counseling required something different.

One of the biggest lessons he learned was the importance of empathetic listening.

In the legal profession, success often depends on gathering facts and developing solutions. Crisis counseling shifts the focus away from solving someone's problems and toward helping them feel heard, understood, and supported.

"Empathetic listening is essential," Henry explains. "Many callers don't need someone to tell them what to do. They need someone who will truly listen."

That realization transformed the way he thinks about helping people.

Strength Through Compassion

Henry's military experience taught him how to remain calm during stressful situations. Years of leadership helped him stay focused under pressure and make thoughtful decisions when circumstances were difficult.

Those skills continue to serve him well when speaking with callers experiencing emotional pain, anxiety, loneliness, or crisis.

At the same time, volunteering has shown him that strength comes in many forms.

One lesson that stands out is how often people hesitate to ask for help.

"Many people are embarrassed," he says. "They think asking for help is a sign of weakness." His experience at the Long Island Crisis Center has only reinforced the opposite belief. Everyone needs support at some point in life. Reaching out for help is not weakness. It is a sign of courage.

The Impact of Human Connection

After years of volunteering, Henry remains amazed by the difference a single conversation can make.

One of the biggest surprises for him has been seeing how powerful listening can be.

"The strongest feeling of camaraderie among callers is that someone cared enough to listen," he says.

Sometimes callers simply need reassurance that they are not alone. Other times, they need help identifying resources, creating a plan, or finding a path forward.

No matter the situation, Henry believes the foundation is the same: human connection.

"If someone reaches out, it's because they need help of some kind," he says. "No one should be afraid to seek it."

A Message for Anyone Struggling

If Henry could leave callers with one message, it would be simple:

"You are not alone." He hopes everyone who contacts a crisis center leaves knowing that someone cares about them and wants to help them navigate whatever challenge they are facing. For Henry, volunteering has fulfilled a deeply held desire to continue serving others. It has also reinforced something he learned long ago: people are stronger when they support one another.

After a lifetime of leadership in the military, law, and banking, Henry's greatest lesson may be the simplest one. Sometimes the most powerful thing we can offer another person is our willingness to listen.

Interested in making a difference like Henry? The Long Island Crisis Center is always looking for compassionate volunteers who want to support their community. Visit the volunteer page on our website to learn more about becoming a crisis counselor.